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Overview of the Roman Empire

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Throughout the existence of the Roman Empire, there were many up’s and down’s. From the beginning of the empire in 27 B.C.E which was the wonderers days of the Pax Romana with then ended in 180 A.D. Then the Roman Empire was defeated in 476 A.D. Economic wise, the Roman Empire was doing very well. They had used a currency that was called aureus. It was then called aureus solidus. Then it permanently became solidus. There was also a growth in latifundia and slave labor. This led to the decline in Roman virtues, simplicity, hard work, and devotion to duty. There were some economical things that led to the decline of the Roman Empire. There where several. When the Empire stopped expanding its markets, economic progress also stopped. “When the Empire ceased to expand, however, economic progress soon ceased.” Slavery also played a role in the decline. Slaves took jobs from the free peasants,and because they could not compete with slaves, they became either tenant farmers or unemployed city dwellers. The political values of the Roman empire started to decline when the ruling of society was under a dictatorship. This began when Julius Cesar ruled Rome. Caesars rule began soon after 49 B.C.E. This is when he became dictator. Cesar had total control of the government. He gave land to his soldiers, free grain to the poor citizens, ordered a new calendar, and granted Roman citizenship two people who weren't actually born in Rome. The Senators did not approve of these changes. They ordered for Cesar to be executed. Caesar was stabbed to death in the Senate on March 15 44B.C.E. Rome fell into chaos after Caesar's death. Octavian was crowned imperator. Octavian became known as Augustus Caesar. As imperator, he could Veto any law, rule all the provinces of Rome, and command the army. The Roman empire begin to fall because it was too large in size and they had conquered too much and were unable to control of the many parts. “The decline of R

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